Veterans Day

I would like to take this time to thank all of the veterans who have served and those currently serving our country. I have several in my family that have served: my grandfather, Air Force; my aunt & uncle both served in the Air Force. None takes precedence over the other, but I'm proud to say that my father served in the Army in WWII, in the 9th Infantry. It's hard to imagine, but he did. And you're thinking, your father was in WWII. Yes, he was. He'll be 83 in February. I'm extremely blessed to have him as my father.

Weekend in Arkadoo!

Spent the weekend in Arkansas with Aaron. We decided to dress up as the Flintstones.

Within an hour and a half, we managed (mostly Aaron) to fix the curtains and make Travis a costume that he only wore for about 15-20 minutes! He sure looks cute! :)

Aaron and I also had some pictures taken - on Thursday on Feaster Trail and the urban part of downtown Arkadelphia! :) Thank you to D&L professional photogs!

Here is one of Aaron's favorites.

Here is one of mine...

Last, and certainly not least - what I was looking forward to - celebrating our engagement with family and friends in Arkadelphia. It was a wonderful. And it was truly a blessing to see so many people who cared! It couldn't have been possible with our Aaron's family - soon to be mine! They were awesome - making sure everything was where it needed to be, while we were greeting our guests. Thank you so much! Love you dearly!

It was a great weekend - went by very quickly! Had a great time seeing the family, friends. I was sad to see it come to an end.

RHS - Class of 98 - Reunion

This weekend was my 10 year high school reunion - Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN. Wow, 10 years, right? There were a few people I've kept in contact with. Mainly those that I went to nursing school with, which happened to be the people I work with in the Children's Hospital.

I guess MySpace and Facebook serve a purpose. Have reconnected with alot of people from my class. However, our 'student body officers' did a wonderful making arrangements for us to get together on Friday and Saturday night.

Julie Goodwin & I. We made arrangements to meet before - and hang out together during the event. Friday evening, we met at the school cafeteria, had BBQ, & talked.

Afterwards, we went to the football game. It was Homecoming night. The announcer recognized us - welcoming us - and how we're celebrating "28." (I know not all of us are 28). Just a strange comment to make! Lots of us were sitting there trying to remember the cheers we use to say in school. And most of us remembered our alma mater!! We were winning 42-7 at halftime. Many of us left after the Homecoming Court presentation.

Saturday night - we met at the Double Tree & had a party. I wasn't too sure how it was going to turn out. Because the night before - it was just like high school - everyone was with their clique(cheerleaders, band, etc). Everyone mingled together last night - which made it much more fun. I was quite surprised at how many people have moved back to Murfreesboro/Middle Tennessee area - after college.

It was great to see everyone - especially those that you've known the longest. Above, Mary and I - we've known each other since kindergarten!

One of the last pictures of the evening, Amy, Julie & me.

I've posted the rest of the pics on Facebook & MySpace.

Cash 25 Winners!

Congratulations - again - to my Kate & John (my aunt and uncle) on their recent winnings of the Cash 25. That's right, they won $25,000. Amazing, huh? That's what they thought, too, when they were watching the news - simply because they think their news anchors are funny. When they numbers rolled by, Kate was speechless (and my Mom's response when Kate was telling the story - "It's probably only one of the few times in your life."). She told John - "those are our numbers." And he said, "You probably messed it up or something." Good thing about DVRs - you can rewind and watch it again. And that's what they did - about 4-5 times! They were so excited that they could hardly sleep. John was ready at 6am to make that drive to Charleston! After taxes, they still got a check for a good amount! On top of that, she won $250 on a row below it!

While waiting, they gave them 2 t-shirts and 2 hats. So, on Friday - at the river - they were sportin' their new apparel! :)

The Engagement Story!

Here's the story...you can go to Aaron's blog with all of the details and the video! :)

I'm engaged! :)

I was asked the big question! And I said, "Yes!" More details to follow, including photos and the video of the proposal!

Poncho the Possum

Last Saturday (after work - I had to go to a funeral service), I went to pick up my Mom, and we went to church where the service was being held. As I'm driving, my Mom tells me this story. She said that last night they(my parents) heard a noise on the porch, and the dogs(Joli and Barney) were barking. Mom goes outside to see what it is - and it's a possum that has gotten into the dog food. My mother - being the photographer that she is - gets her digital camera that I got her for her birthday and proceeds to take pictures of this possum. She laid the garbage barrel(what she had the dog food in) on it's side so that the possum could get out AND obtain a better picture.

A few days later - same thing - Joli had heard something and started barking. Mom goes out and see the possum curled up in the dog food.

Mom has decided to name him Poncho! :)

Quote of the morning

So, around 5am, I had a three-fer come in with vomiting. The 9 y/o didn't look well at all - had been vomiting since 2100. The 7 y/o vomited in the parking garage and mainly just appeared tired. After all, it was 5am. The 5 y/o was fine - she hadn't started yet. Mom wanted her evaluated simply because her siblings were ill. One of our MDs goes to assess the patients.

And the youngest one said, "We had chicken for dinner, and we ate too much!"

I'm sure it didn't have everything to do with it, but it's definitely a possibility.

Newfoundland trip with details...

August 6th:

The Royal St. John's (the longest annual competition in North America) Regatta was postponed due to weather. On the day of this event, the entire town shuts down. It is usually held on the first Wednesday of August - however, this year it was held on Friday, August 8th.

So, we went to Topsail Beach:

We also did some scouting in CBS - Convention Bay South. We(our van - Steve, Jackie, Bruce, Tiffany, Terry, & me) returned back to the college (Memorial University). It was about 2 hours later when the first van(Larry, Judy, Tony, Carolyn, Roger, Ed, Angie) returned - needless to say, they were LOST in Newfoundland! :)

That evening, a few of us went to Signal Hill - took pictures of the city.

August 7th:

We hiked down Signal Hill - was able to get several shots: Fort Amherst and the waves crashing into the bank.

Here's a shot of a row of houses - with different colors.


August 8th - Regatta Day:

I love rowing! I wish I would have went to UTK just to row - and of course go to school! :) And the greatest thing about this competition is that it can be anybody. Meaning, it can be a softball team, a group from a bank or law firm. They have access to the boathouse. So, I think it's pretty cool.

That evening we went out to eat and we 'celebrated' the Warden's birthday(without him knowing it). We sent the girls to sing Happy Birthday to him - and the Moose Head!

That evening, we played Spades: Jackie & me vs Terry & Tiffany. And one of the quotes of the week, Terry said, "I'd rather play cards than eat."

August 9th:

Topsail beach for some backyard bible club. While waiting for people to show up (the weather was yucky the entire time - it was the misting rain) - some of us had a little fun.

Me...on the seesaw.

Afterwards, our van went to Fort Amherst - the first lighthouse in Newfoundland.

August 10th:

We attended church at the St. John Cathedral(Anglican). It was beautiful! It was the first church of Newfoundland.

After an hour and a half service - and the hour and a half tour, we went to Cape Spear - the most easterly point of North America. We also were able to do a little bit of whale watching.

Whale tail!

August 11th:

We all finished up what bit of shopping we needed to do. We also noticed that people were out mowing their yards(in the misting rain) with push mowers and whipper snippers(which we know as weedeaters). And all week long - there always seem to be a line at Tim ("Crack") Hortons.

August 12th:

Our flight was delayed an hour and a half, because pilots who fly into Newfoundland are those who fly out - and they have to have an 8 hour clearance from flight to flight. Meaning, the pilots flew in around 1:30am that morning.

We hit some turbulence on the way to Newark. Had a slight delay in Newark, but we still made it to Nashville on time at 4pm.

It was a great trip. Our mission was fulfilled - we spoke to those we came in contact with, and God will take care of the rest.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19

Newfoundland trip!

What a trip! Newfoundland was great. Had a wonderful time - spending the week with people I knew and those that I knew of, but hadn't had the opportunity to spend some quality time with. This was a much needed trip - I was able to reach out those in Newfoundland, but as a friend told me, usually mission trips end up being slightly selfish - because tend to see where we need to be spiritually, and see how truly blessed we really are.

It's going to take my a little bit of time to go through pictures and tell you more about the trip. I'll start working on it this week and hopefully have a better description of the week for you. However, I'm currently posting the photos on Facebook, so that you can see what we did throughout the week.

Thank you to all of you - your thoughts and prayers this week!

Newfoundland - update!

Due to the weather in Houston - they changed our flight. We're leaving later (meeting at the church at 6:30am) - flight leaves 9:35am - getting into Newark at 12:55pm. We have a 5 hour layover! With the transit system, we can get to New York in about 30 min! Woohoo! Even more excited now!

Newfoundland!

Heading out to Newfoundland tomorrow! If some of us need a history lesson, you can find Newfoundland by viewing this map.

It's not going to be bright, but definitely early! We have to be at the church at 4am. We're flying over half of the U.S. (Houston, TX, Newark, NJ), then to St. John's, Newfoundland) - only to get there are 11pm! There's a two and a half hour time difference. All day of flying and delays! Woohoo!

Plan on taking lots of pictures, so I'll have plenty to post when I return! Have a good week!

Camp Hope

I know many of you have heard me speak of Camp Hope - it is truly a passion of mine! My friend, Ashley and I directed this camp for 3 years, and I was involved with it 3 years prior. I love these kids! They have hold a dear place in my heart!

Camp Hope is a for children who are burn survivors! I had the opporunity to go out and see them yesterday for a few hours. It was so great to see them - letting me know how much they missed us. I can't post most of the pictures due to HIPPA, but here are few of myself and some of the other counselors!

Here's Samantha - wearing all of the fireman's gear in 95 degree heat! She's one of the occupational therapist.

This is Kelly. She's a survivor of Stephens-Johnson Syndrome. She has participated by being one of the counselors for several years!

LifeFlight made their appearance! The kids were super excited.

I'll close this post with a quote that I think sums up a burn survivor - a true survivor.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep, loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
~Elizabeth Kubler Ross~

July 25, 1980

28 years ago, Rachel Susan Nickens was born! I've attached a few photos. Hope you enjoy!

Here's a picture of my brother, Ethan and me. He, too, was sportin' the tube socks!

Here I was, sitting in the drawer - seemed to be a cool place to be!

Loved the tireswing. I mean, LOVED IT! There's my dad in the background.

Little Miss Gangsta Rachel - with my hat to da' side! Haha!

And here we are - 28 years later!

Happy birthday, Mr. Briggs!

Happy birthday, Jackie Briggs! You are da' man! Hope you have a fabulous day!

You're awesome! And I'm blessed to have such a good friend as you! Thanks, Jackie! Love ya man!

The night we decorated Ali's house!

@ Aaron's, May 2007!

@ Ali's - being crazy! :)

Destin -September 2007

Christmas 2007





June 2008

Thank you, Jackie for all of the great memories! :)

Spartanburg!

Spent the weekend in Spartanburg, SC - for a friend's wedding. Mary, Veronica, and I drove over Friday, and we came home today.

Here we are getting ready Friday evening to go to dinner.

We spent Saturday go to the shoppes on the square. We had lunch at Groucho's Deli.

After shopping, we drove around the Hamilton Historic District. We saw some houses we liked and one - not so much!

And here's the one we didn't care for - I mean, who puts these colors together!?


So, the reason for the trip was the wedding of Blaire Collins and Kevin Jett. It was beautiful wedding - here's the beautiful couple!

We were just here a year ago - actually in Summerville, SC - for Melissa & Drew's wedding. They will be celebrating their one year anniversary tomorrow, the 21st. Happy Anniversary! :)

What a great weekend!

2 more babies & 2 zebras

I know most of you think I'm crazy for watching these watusis. However, there are two more babies that are so cute. Below is the newest one:

Below are the other babies.

And the crazy thing is - that there are now 2 zebras in the mix. Yes, two zebras. Aaron asked me if I was sure my parents weren't living some African Safari. Sure enough, there are two zebras amongst the watusi clan.

Hopefully, one day, I plan on going to his property to see what else he has. Mom says that he has some buffalo, ostriches, and some Scottish cows. So we'll see. I'll keep you updated.